El Calafate: Safari Azul Los Glaciares Trekking Tour

Perito Moreno Glacier is best understood from several angles, and this 9-hour tour gives you all of them: a distant view, a boat-level view, and a close look from the shore. The short trek to the ice is the main treat. You walk through forest, sand, and stones until the blue-white wall fills your view.

I like the balance between the boat crossing and the glacier-side walk. I also like the two hours at the catwalks, where you can choose your own paths instead of being hurried from one lookout to the next. The main consideration is that food and the national park entrance fee cost extra, and the morning pickup time may not be confirmed until the day before.

Key points to know before booking

• Touch the glacier from the shore: You do not walk on the ice, but you reach its edge and can feel its cold surface.
• Three strong viewpoints: See Perito Moreno from Lago Rico, from the nearby shore, and from the extensive catwalk system.
• A gentle but uneven trek: Expect about three hours of walking in total on stones, sand, forest paths, and gentle slopes.
• Two hours at the catwalks: Use this time for different viewpoints, photos, and a packed lunch with wide views across the park.
• Good transport value: Hotel transfers, the boat trips, a guide, and catwalk access time are built into the day, but park admission is separate.
• Plan for Patagonia weather: Warm layers, rain gear, sturdy waterproof shoes, sunglasses, and a waterproof bag are sensible choices.

Why this Perito Moreno day works so well

Perito Moreno is not just a wall of ice. It is a huge moving mass that changes character as you approach it. From far away, you understand its scale. From the boat, you see the height of the ice face and the cracks, ridges, and blue pockets along its surface. From the shore, you notice the rough texture and the fine details that disappear at a distance.

That range is what makes this tour worth considering. A simple catwalk visit gives you excellent views, but the Lago Rico crossing and guided trek add a sense of access. You are not merely looking at the glacier from a railing. You make a short journey toward it, through a quieter part of Los Glaciares National Park.

The tour has earned a 4.8 rating from 123 reviews, with the strongest praise aimed at the guides, timing, transportation, and close view of the ice. Names attached to recent departures include Alexa, Diego, Leandro, Victoria, and Camilla. The guide can make a real difference here, since the day includes natural details that are easy to miss, from the color of the ice to the surrounding flora and fauna.

Still, this is not an expedition. The trekking is described as low intensity, and the route takes about 1.5 hours each way. You need to handle stones and a gentle slope, but you do not need technical hiking skills or glacier equipment.

Leaving El Calafate for Bajo de las Sombras

The day begins with pickup in El Calafate. The drive to Bajo de las Sombras takes about 1.5 hours, so use the ride to settle in and watch the Patagonian Steppe pass by.

Hotel pickup is included, but there is one practical catch. The vehicle can collect you at accommodation with a reception. If you stay in a short-term rental or a place without a front desk, the operator provides a nearby meeting point. Confirm this carefully, since one departure had a pickup mix-up involving an accommodation without a reception.

The pickup window can also be broad. The stated range is 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, with the exact time confirmed the day before. That is not ideal if you need to coordinate a flight, another tour, or a strict dinner reservation. Wait at reception 10 minutes before the confirmed time, and keep your phone available for messages.

The road trip is part of the appeal, though it also means this is a full day rather than a quick outing. The scenery gradually shifts from El Calafate toward the open country around the park. You will want a small day bag within reach, not buried in luggage.

Crossing Lago Rico toward the ice

At Bajo de las Sombras, you board a boat for the crossing of Lago Rico. The stated sailing time varies slightly by schedule, around 20 to 30 minutes, but it is long enough to give you a proper first look at Perito Moreno.

This is where the glacier begins to feel enormous. On foot, the ice wall can look like a distant cliff. From the water, its vertical face rises above the lake and shows why a close approach matters. Watch for broken lines, shadows, and blue tones in the ice. The surface is not smooth or uniform.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone, camera, and spare layers. Water and wind can make the crossing feel colder than the temperature at the dock suggests. Sunglasses are useful even on a cloudy day, since ice and water can throw back plenty of light.

The boat is not the entire attraction, and that is a good thing. You get enough time to take in the glacier without spending most of the day on the water. The strongest part comes after landing, when the route continues toward the ice.

A 30-minute approach through forest and stone

Once you reach the opposite shore, the walk begins. The first approach is about 30 minutes, followed by the wider guided trek described as roughly three hours in total, including the return. The route uses a mix of sandy ground, forest, stones, and gentle slopes.

The southern wall of Perito Moreno remains in view as you walk, so the glacier grows larger without ever disappearing from the scene. The changing ground gives you a better sense of the setting than a paved viewpoint would. You move through a real section of the park, not just from one viewing platform to another.

The route is low intensity, but do not confuse that with completely easy walking. Uneven stones can be awkward, especially in wet weather, and the distance adds up. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, children under six, or anyone over 70. The permitted age range is six to 70.

Wear waterproof shoes with good grip. Sandals, flip flops, shorts, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Long trousers, a warm jacket, and a rain layer are more useful than stylish clothing here. Patagonia can change quickly, and you will be outside for much of the day.

Meeting Perito Moreno at the shore

The close approach is the tour’s signature moment. You reach the glacier edge and have time to look at the ice, take photographs, and absorb the scale. You can touch the ancient ice from the shore, but this is not a walk on Perito Moreno Glacier.

That distinction matters. If you want crampons, a glacier hike, or a route across the ice, this is the wrong product. Here, the excitement comes from getting very close without technical equipment. You may see deep blue sections, white ridges, cracks, and wet surfaces shaped by the glacier’s movement.

The guides help keep the group safe and point out suitable paths. On some departures, extra guides have joined the group for the glacier-side section, which is useful on uneven ground. Guides have also shared information about the ice, the park, and local plant and animal life.

Give yourself time to look rather than treating this as a quick photo stop. Ice is easy to photograph badly if you only point a camera at the whole wall. Take a wide image for scale, then smaller shots of ridges, blue openings, and the meeting point between ice, rock, and water.

The return route takes you back to the boat. You see the glacier again from a different position, and the changing angle can reveal details hidden on the first approach.

Two hours on the Perito Moreno catwalks

After returning to Bajo de las Sombras, the tour continues by bus to the official Perito Moreno walkways. You get two hours here, which is enough for a useful visit without turning the catwalks into an afterthought.

This section provides the broad views that the shore trek cannot. The network of paths lets you see the glacier from different heights and angles. You can study the full ice front, watch for movement, and listen for the sharp crack that may come before a piece of ice falls into the water.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time. You have room to walk at your own pace, stop for photographs, and eat lunch while facing Los Glaciares National Park. Guides can suggest which paths to take, but you are not tied to a single guided route during this free period.

Bring your own packed lunch and water. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no opportunity to buy supplies in the area. Some departures have included a calafate drink and chocolate, but treat that as a possible extra from the operator rather than something guaranteed in the package.

The catwalks also give you a break from the rougher walking near the glacier. You can still cover plenty of ground, but the visit is easier to control. If your legs are tired, choose a shorter path and spend more time at a viewpoint.

What the $182 price really covers

At $182 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Perito Moreno, especially once you add the national park admission and your own food. You can buy the park ticket in Argentine pesos on arrival or through the official National Parks website, so include that cost in your budget.

The price makes more sense if you value transport and structure. You receive hotel transfers where available, a Spanish or English-speaking guide, the Lago Rico boat crossings, the glacier-side trek, and two hours at the catwalks. Arranging those parts separately would take time and may not produce the same combination of viewpoints.

The strongest value comes from the close approach. A standard catwalk visit gives you the famous view, but this tour adds the boat and shore walk. If you are making the long journey to El Calafate specifically for Perito Moreno, seeing the glacier at three distances can justify the extra cost.

It is less compelling for someone who dislikes fixed schedules or wants a quiet, independent day. You spend about three hours on buses, follow a set sequence, and depend on the operator for pickup timing. The tour is organized rather than flexible.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Patagonia plans are still shifting, but you should still check the confirmed pickup time before the day itself.

Who should choose this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want an active day without a hard hike. The route gives you some exercise, but the emphasis is on views, access, and interpretation rather than athletic performance.

It suits first-time visitors to El Calafate who want the major Perito Moreno sights handled in one booking. It also works well for people who prefer a guide to explain what they are seeing and arrange the long transfers.

You should think twice if you need step-free access, are pregnant, are outside the six to 70 age range, or do not want to walk on uneven ground. You should also skip it if your priority is actually walking across the glacier. This tour brings you to the edge, not onto the ice.

English and Spanish are available. If you care about an English-speaking departure, confirm that when booking rather than assuming every vehicle will use the same language mix.

What to pack for a cold, changeable day

Bring your passport or identity card, since it is listed among the required items. Pack food, water, a reusable bottle, and a waterproof bag for electronics.

Your clothing should include warm layers, a jacket, rain gear, and footwear that can handle wet or rocky paths. Sunglasses are useful, and weather-appropriate clothing is not a minor detail here. The tour spends time beside open water and exposed ice, where wind can make conditions feel sharper.

Avoid sandals, flip flops, shorts, and sleeveless shirts. A small backpack is more practical than a large suitcase, and it gives you quick access to your camera, lunch, and extra layer.

Should you book the Safari Azul tour?

Book it if you want more than the standard glacier viewpoint. The mix of boat, forest trek, close contact with the ice, and two hours at the catwalks gives you a fuller day at Perito Moreno than a simple lookout visit.

The best reasons to choose it are the variety of views, the gentle guided hike, and the reliable all-day structure. The main cautions are the separate park fee, your own lunch, the uneven terrain, and pickup timing that may only be confirmed the day before.

For most fit adults within the age limit, this is a strong choice in El Calafate. Pack properly, clarify your pickup point, and expect a long day. In return, you get to see the glacier from far away, from the water, and close enough to touch.

FAQ

How long does the Safari Azul Los Glaciares tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including transfers from El Calafate, the boat crossings, the glacier-side walk, and two hours at the Perito Moreno catwalks.

Does the tour include a walk on Perito Moreno Glacier?

No. You walk to the glacier edge and can touch the ice from the shore, but the tour does not take you onto the glacier.

How much walking is involved?

Total walking time is approximately three hours, or about 1.5 hours each way. The route includes stones, sand, forest paths, and gentle slopes.

Is food included?

No. You must bring your own packed lunch, food, and water. There is no opportunity to buy supplies in the area.

Is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee included?

No. Park admission is separate. You can buy the ticket in Argentine pesos on arrival or through the official National Parks website.

Can children join the tour?

The activity is for people from six through 70 years old. Children under six cannot participate.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from accommodation with a reception. If you stay in a short-term rental or a place without a reception, the operator provides a nearby meeting point. Wait at reception or the confirmed meeting point 10 minutes before pickup.